Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1887-06-22

mentioned where he had dned, and
went into raptures over Fidessa's culi-
nary skill, dwelling particularly upon
her ability as maker of calf's-foot
jelly.
A peculiar smile made itself visible
on the collective family countenance.
"Now, think it's too bad" cried
the Oldest girl, THAT my sister and
should lose not only our jelly, but the
credit of having made 1t. We devoted
the whole Of yesterday to its manufac-
ture, and the chief result of all our
trouble was to give that angelic sister
of mine an opportunity to supply an
accidental deficiency in certain lady's
dessert. That cat of hers must be a
victim or dyspepsia, if it really gets
away with all it is said to, | felt
tempted to ask if it ever had the D.
| L. IS when she came around to ask for
drop OF sherry in a gallon demijohn.
l would have given her what was left
from clearing the jelly, but papa turned
up, and insisted upon letting her have
the best. With such encouragement,
she will ask next for champagne"
Amy's face was study. 1 fairly
roared. If it had not been too late to
pay any more visits, L am sure we
should have traced out in our further
progress through that vicinity, the
origin of the entire menu to which we
had done honor at Fidessa's table.
About week later l encountered
Oriana one morning early, upon Kearny
street. did not recognize her till she
spoke to me, for she was thickly veiled.
"Ah, am so glad to have met you,"
she said, excitedly. 81 am in such
dilemma, and could not bear to speak
of it to anyone. IL want SO much to
know-perhaps you could tell me, and
| don't mind so much speaking of it to
you-what Uncle Harris would be
likely to give me for this?" She opened
her hand wide enough 10 show me a
glimpse:ofa q tiny, blue-enameled watch.
II was afraid they would insult me if
asked for more than should"
what do you want money for?"
1t was a rude, blunt question, aud /
put it hai SHY; but old bachelor friends
are privileged to be rude and blunt, and
was annoyed to think that Fidessa's
influence might be telling upon her.
She hung her head.
81 want to go home, and L have
nothing to take me-"
Didn't your father
"Ah, yes; but you see-I spent all he
gave me, and don't want to trouble
him for more. Perhaps he couldn't
spare it very well. I'd much rather
get it this wBy," holding up the watch.
"What have you spent your money
uponP"
She was silent. A new inspiration
struck me.
"You didn't spend it all. You lent
it. 1t was borrowed from you by"
''Ah, hush!" she cried, ''I didn't
want you to know that. Please don't
tell it to any one. She really is so
good hearted and she has been so kind
to me. She has given me SO many
presents. Still"
''Still, you would rather be out OF
her house and home again. You are
right. /. is no place for you. let her
be as kind and generous as she may" 6
The next day saw the child off
home, without, however, calling in the
aid of Uncle Harris.
When Orlana was gone l set abOu.
maturing scheme l had formed. IL
was Quixotic, perhaps, but l thought
the possible cure of fault like FidesSa's
In one whom, despite her idiocyncrasy,
few could help liking, was worth
the trouble of trying to effect. called
upon a carefully chosen number of her
most intimate friends whom l could
trust, hoped, not to betray me. They
entered with spirit into my plan. SIM
ultaneously fthey all began TO borrow
from her. And she lent 1t to them as
unhesitatingly as she had borrowed
from them, showing no reluctance to
grant all their requests, though they
ran the gamut from a lace scarf to
bucket of coal, taking eyel the gas
globes and door keys. Those In the
secret derived no little amusement in
comparing notes and consulting as to
what out t-of-the-way articles they should
ask for next. This thing grew more
and more exciting as the days went by.
Each consplrator's house contained
vast and miscellaneous collection of
Fidessa's worldly goods. BY the end
OF a fortnight the discontinue OF
rined home would have been unendur-
able to one less amiable. but with un-
diminished good humor she continued
to lend. At last period came when
those in the plot began to doubt It's
success. There was no punishment III
il to one Who felt not its Inconvenience
and knew no reluctance in parting with
her belongings. The intended lesson
woald prove no lesson at all if she never
took in Its meaning. Fidessa continued
amiably and exaSperatlngly oDtuse.
There was nothing for it in the end put
to confide the secret to old Mother
Cary. under a solemn VOW OF silence.
Before the week was out Fidessa's
ewes had been opened. First she called
on Ter female friends and wept- Then
she began to toss her head when she
met them in the street and looked the
other way. Finally the ludicrous side
of the affair seemed to strike her, good
nature prevailed and she laughed about
il with those who persisted in speaking
to her. She confessed herself Justly
served. and professed to be wholly
cured, Never again, SO long as she
lived, would she ask anything OF any
body. This resolve was openly eA-
pressed, and to no one did IL prove
more gratifying than 10 Amys. but
alas! poor fellow, his satisfaction Win
the result of our scheme was short
lived. One day he came to me Win tne
most rueful expression on his gocd-
natured face that l have ever seen
there. >, !,
1--WE have banished Fidessa," he
said. 81 knew she was no longer happy
among us, though she tried SO amiaoiy
to hide her chagrln. She has broken
M housekeeping and gone away"
$50 | have been told, SAID quietly.
"She has gone east-on a pass.